Urban Forester Using Tree Assessments to Save Trees
Skip Kincaid, nationally recognized expert on tree assessment, talks about how professional risk assessments, if done right, will reduce the number of trees removed unnecessarily. To see his webinar, go to the Urban Forestry Today website and look for “Urban Trees and the Law” as well as other previous webinars.
Virginia Dept of Transportation Tree Rescuers Program
VDOT has worked out a process whereby you can apply for a permit, either as an individual or as an organization such as a community association, to clip invasive vines that are threatening trees in VDOT easements. The goal is to preserve these remnant habitats for the birds and other critters who need them as homes. Use this link for more information.
Northern Virginia Conservation Trust - Arlington Success Story
Preserving nature and history.
In a bustling urban environment like Arlington, Virginia, preserving green spaces with historical and natural significance can be quite a challenge. The story of the Terborgh family and their property, which has now transformed into the Terborgh Terrace Garden, is a testament to the enduring legacy of a family deeply connected to their land and a commitment to conservation. Read the full story at https://www.nvct.org/post/preserving-history-the-terborgh-family-and-the-terborgh-terrace-garden
Free Trees Planted by Ecoaction
1/5/24 deadline
Apply by January 5, 2024 for spring planting. See their webpage for more details - https://www.ecoactionarlington.org/community-programs/trees/
DC to plant 8000+ Street Trees
DC receives $750,000 to plant and maintain trees.
In September, the District’s Department of Transportation (DDOT) was awarded $750,000 in funding to promote urban and community forestry as part of funding through the Inflation Reduction Act. This funding will be used by the Urban Forestry Division to support local organizations in underserved communities to improve the quality and upkeep of the tree canopy in these neighborhoods. The 8000 trees this year will help the district meet its goal of a 40% healthy tree canopy by 2032. More information can be found at this Casey Trees webpage.
Tiny Forests Big Benefits
Fascinating NYT article on how “Native plants crowded onto postage-stamp-size plots have been delivering environmental benefits around the world — and, increasingly, in the U.S. Rear the entire 8/27/23 article at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/24/climate/tiny-forests-climate-miyawaki.html .
Welcome to ATC & Join Us!
Goals
Bring together existing public and private resources to support and strengthen tree preservation and planting efforts throughout Arlington County to maximize their environmental and social benefits through:
o Collaboration to enhance the success of our efforts
o Education
o Planting campaigns
o Useful tools for organizations and citizens
o Funding and policy
Philosophy
Arlington enjoys substantial resources in the public and private sectors already employed to advocate and take action in support of our irreplaceable urban tree canopy. By networking these resources together, the power to address challenges to our natural resources can be multiplied. Even in cities like Arlington that face the pressures from development, there are many opportunities available to soften the impacts. With intensifying pressures from climate change, green infrastructure adopted to its full potential is essential. This consortium of willing advocates can help make that happen.
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New 2023 Arlington Tree Canopy Assessment & Maps
After a lot of work over many months, the preliminary results of a tree canopy study for Arlington County are available. The research incorporates the newest available 2021 data along with expert analysis by the Virginia-based Green Infrastructure Center (GIC). Maps already available provide a clearer picture of our current urban forest assets and our potential to enhance the environmental and social public services they can provide in the future. These multi-function benefits of trees have enticed families, workers, businesses, and organizations to join our community.
This tree canopy assessment can be a useful supplement for evaluating important policy decisions such as 1) the draft Forestry and Natural Resources Plan expected to be made public again in the spring, 2) the degree of potential impact on the tree canopy from local and regional regulatory changes, and 3) inform planning for new opportunities for adopting green infrastructure in the near future.
Most importantly, study is a valuable tool for individuals and organizations already working to improve our tree canopy. For instance, the Tree Canopy Equity Program hosted by EcoAction, will be able to zoom in for block-by-block data to promote the planting of trees where they can be most effective for the target communities. Similarly, civic associations can use the data to track the impact of development, make plans for planting campaigns, and/or seek County support for their needs.
This canopy study was initiated and funded by private citizens concerned with the lack of current, concrete data on the tree canopy and changes over time. We were exceptionally privileged to have Karen Firehock and Christian Schluter from the GIC which provides assistance to communities in developing strategies for protecting and conserving their ecological and cultural assets through environmentally-sensitive decisions, lifestyles and planning. Their clients have included many jurisdictions in the state and have prepared numerous studies for the US Forest Service including their Tree Planning and Planting Campaign Guide. For more information go to: http://www.gicinc.org/.